Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company
Encyclopedia
The Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO) located in Mobile, Alabama
, was one of the largest marine
production
facilities in the United States of America during the 20th century. Beginning operation in 1917, the shipyard is presently owned by The Lehman Group (J.F. Lehman and Partners) and operated as Atlantic Marine
LLC.
During and after World War II
, ADDSCO became the largest employer in southern Alabama
, building Liberty ships, tanker
s and other vessels from the keel
up, often at rapid speeds during the stateside war effort
. The first yard was built on Pinto Island in Mobile Bay
. During World War II, the facility was primarily tasked for production of the Liberty ships, but wartime losses caused a shift to repair of tanker vessels. Twenty Liberty ships were produced in Mobile. From 1943 to 1945, 90 T-2 tanker ships were produced at ADDSCO.
was an ongoing problem at the shipyard following the war. Although addressed repeatedly by both management
and trade union
s a small race riot erupted forcing the temporary closing of the yard.
, and is known as Atlantic Marine Alabama.
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
, was one of the largest marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
production
Production, costs, and pricing
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to industrial organization:Industrial organization – describes the behavior of firms in the marketplace with regard to production, pricing, employment and other decisions...
facilities in the United States of America during the 20th century. Beginning operation in 1917, the shipyard is presently owned by The Lehman Group (J.F. Lehman and Partners) and operated as Atlantic Marine
Atlantic Marine (company)
Atlantic Marine is an American shipbuilding and construction company. It operates two shipyards, one in Mobile, Alabama and the original corporate location, a smaller one in Jacksonville, Florida where its headquarters is located...
LLC.
World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, ADDSCO became the largest employer in southern Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, building Liberty ships, tanker
Tanker (ship)
A tanker is a ship designed to transport liquids in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, and the liquefied natural gas carrier.-Background:...
s and other vessels from the keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
up, often at rapid speeds during the stateside war effort
War effort
In politics and military planning, a war effort refers to a coordinated mobilization of society's resources—both industrial and human—towards the support of a military force...
. The first yard was built on Pinto Island in Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. Its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island, a barrier island on the western side. The Mobile River and Tensaw River empty into the northern end of the...
. During World War II, the facility was primarily tasked for production of the Liberty ships, but wartime losses caused a shift to repair of tanker vessels. Twenty Liberty ships were produced in Mobile. From 1943 to 1945, 90 T-2 tanker ships were produced at ADDSCO.
Employment expansion
Thousands made their way to Mobile to find work. 18,500 were employed by 1943 including 6,000 African-Americans. Racial equalityRacial equality
Racial equality means different things in different contexts. It mostly deals with an equal regard to all races.It can refer to a belief in biological equality of all human races....
was an ongoing problem at the shipyard following the war. Although addressed repeatedly by both management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
and trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s a small race riot erupted forcing the temporary closing of the yard.
Recent years
In the mid-1980s, the Mobile yard closed due to declining business and labor unrest. The facility later re-opened and remains in operation today. It is now owned by an investment company headed by former U.S. Navy Secretary John LehmanJohn Lehman
John F. Lehman, Jr. is an American investment banker and writer who served as Secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration and in 2003–04 was a member of the 9/11 Commission....
, and is known as Atlantic Marine Alabama.